Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
Contact
Daniel Brown
Telephone
+44 7546653628
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
National registration number
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority
Buyer's address
https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/72814
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=38509&B=UK
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Fusion Research
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
MARKET ENGAGEMENT TO UNDERSTAND SUPERCOOLED MAGNET INSULATOR TECHNOLOGIES
Reference number
T/DB103/21
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The aim of this project is to engage with the wider market to understand and test current available materials as magnet insulators that will be used in the toroidal, poloidal and correction coils, as well as the central solenoid - These materials must encapsulate the coils to protect and stabilise the magnets from the hostile environment e.g. irradiation
UKAEA will survey and assess organic potting compounds for application in a fusion environment. including, but not limited to: epoxy blends, benzoxazines and polyimides. Identify, survey and assess inorganic material e.g. geopolymers. Engagement with wider industry to understand the range of available COTS products developed in other industries which could be applicable to the requirement. Follow on work might include mechanical testing of these products to validate their suitability for nuclear environments.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £200,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 24300000 - Basic inorganic and organic chemicals
- 24500000 - Plastics in primary forms
- 73111000 - Research laboratory services
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
- 31630000 - Magnets
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Part of the STEP programme is the development of magnet insulators that will be used in the toroidal, poloidal and correction coils, as well as the central solenoid. These materials must encapsulate the coils to protect and stabilise the magnets from the hostile environment. This environment, particularly the high levels of neutron irradiation, present a significant materials challenge to select and validate potting compounds which avoid degradation in thermal, mechanical, and electromagnetic properties under these conditions. The aim of this project is to Engage with the wider market to understand and test current available materials which can be applied to the Requirements. UKAEA will survey and assess organic potting compounds for application in a fusion environment., including, but not limited to: epoxy blends, benzoxazines and polyimides, Identify, survey and assess inorganic material options, including, but not limited to, geopolymers. Engagement with wider industry to understand the range of available COTS products developed in other industries, such as aerospace, which could be applicable to the requirement.Follow on work might include mechanical testing of these products to validate their suitability for nuclear environments. Testing will be carried out by external suppliers, therefore engagement with wider industry to understand testing capability and standard testing procedures will also form a part of this project.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
22 October 2021
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes